Early this morning, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned for the year.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek made this statement about the extraordinarily successful session:

"Unlike the Do-Nothing Republican Congress in Washington, Democrats in the North Carolina Senate and House passed meaningful legislation that will enrich the lives of the people they represent. The bills they've passed this session will make our citizens safer, our schools better, our environment cleaner, our residents healthier, and our government more accountable. I commend Speaker Black, Senator Basnight, and all the Democrats in the General Assembly for their leadership in moving North Carolina forward. This year, North Carolina Democrats can and will run on their record-one of success and progress."

The Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed legislation this year:

* Ensuring every child in North Carolina receives a quality education in a safe and secure environment
* Raising the salaries of teachers and state employees

* Dedicating all lottery proceeds to education and establishing a new oversight board

* Providing tax credits to small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees

* Increasing the state's minimum wage

* Promoting job growth

* Making health care a part of the job

* Protecting the health and safety of children

* Funding and implementing mental health reform

* Preparing for health-related emergencies and natural disasters

* Capping the state's gas tax and protecting consumers against price gouging

* Cracking down on illegal immigrants

* Passing substantial and far-reaching campaign finance, lobbying and ethics reforms to strengthen the public's confidence in elected officials and our government

* Establishing an Innocence Commission

* Protecting against sex offenders

* Implementing tougher drunk driving Laws

* Requiring people seeking a driver's license to prove they are legally in the U.S.

* Protecting against identity theft